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3 Sheets Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. F. GRASSLER. ELECTRIC RAILROAD SIGNAL.

Patented Aug. 13, 1889.

WANNA (No Model. 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. F. GRASSLER. ELECTRIC RAILROAD SIGNAL.

Patented Aug. 13, .1889.

a u hogrnpher, WashFnglnn. u. c.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

W. F. GRASSLER.

ELECTRIC RAILROAD SIGNAL.

Patented Aug. 13, 1889.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. GRASSLER, OF \VILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF- THREE-FOURTHS TO C. C. GIBSON, IN. G. ELLIOT, AND IV. 13. UPDEGRAFF,

ALL OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC RAILROAD-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 409,146, dated August 13, 1889.

Application filed November 20, 1888. Serial No. 291,388. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern} Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. GRAssLEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVillianisport, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Railroad-Signals, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in electric railway-signaling devices; and it has for its objects to provide for automatically signaling from one train to another on the same track, Whether going in the same or opposite directions, whereby collisions and accidents may be avoided, as will more fully hereinafter appear. The abovementioned objects I attain by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a locomotive, showing my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2, a plan view of a railroad-track, a locomotive thereon, and the conductors at the side of the tracks. Fig. 3 represents a cross-section of the track and a rear view of the engine traveling upon said track. Fig. 4 represents a detail plan view of the track and the conducting-wires at each side of the same. Fig. 5 represents a diagrammatical plan view of the track and the conductors at each side of the same. Fig. 6 represents a view of a portion of the cab of an engine, showing the signaling device applied thereto. Fig. 7 represents a sectional view of a portion of the conducting-wire located at one side of the track. Fig. 8 indicates a sectional view of a modification of the same; and Fig. 9 represents a detail view showing the clearer, brushes, and electric conductor extending from the locomotix e to the conductors at the sides of the track.

Referring to the drawings, the letter Aindicates a locomotive of the ordinary construction. v

B indicates the rails of the track upon which the train travels. On each side of the track is located a continuous conductingwire 0, which are laid in grooves in insulated supports D, extending longitudinally along the track and parallel thereto and supported on suitable insulators D. At suitable intervals the conductors are depressed or formed with deflections, as indicated by the letter D, for the purpose of making an intermission or break in the current from the train, as more fully hereinafter specified.

Each locomotive or engine is provided with an electric generator E, the respective terminal wires of which connect with the insulated conductors at each side of the track by means of the metallic brushes G, attached to supporting-arms F. These brushes G are insulated from the supporting-arms by means of suitable interposed non-conducting material, and are made vertically adjustable, by means of bolts a, to compensate for wear, &c. The bristles of these brushes are formed of any suitable elastic or flexible conducting material, and they may be adjusted by means of the bolts 0. to bear upon the conducting-wires more orless with force, as may be desired. Upon the said supporting-arms F, in front of the contactbrushes, are adjustably secured the insulated cleaning-brushes H, adapted to brush off any accumulated snow or other foreign substance 7 5 that maybe upon the conductors C. In front of these cleaning-brushes are also secured clearers or plows, which are adapted to remove heavy accumulations of snow or ice from the conductor and itssupport.

Secured on the locomotive-cab, and suitably connected to the terminals of the electric bat-. tery E, is an electric alarm or hell J. A telephone K may also be placed in the circuit, if desired, to enable'the engineer of one train to communicate with the engineer of another train on the same track.

It is evident the sections of conductors C may be as long as desired and located at any place along the track. The deflections or (16-90 pressions in the conductors may be located at suitable distances apart and at suitable points along the track.

The operation of the invention is very simple, and is as follows: The brushes being constantly in a position to come in contact with the conductors at the sides of the track, it will be evident that the instant two trains pass upon the same section of conductor a circuit will be formed between the two en- I00 gines, the currents passing through the conducting-wires to the brushes, and then to the conductors at the sides of the track. The instant the circuit between the two trains is completed the hammers of both the bells will be attracted by their magnets and the bells will be sounded, the hammers being held against the bells and the circuit remaining closed. The sounding of the bells Will attract the attention of the engineers, and they may by means of the telephone communicate with each other and ascertain the relative positions of their trains. \Vhen the contact-brushes pass the depressions in the conductors C, the bells will be again sounded, thus providing additional security for notifying or alarming the engineers should they fail to notice the first alarm. By placing the deflections 0r interruptions in the conductors at definite and regular distances apart the engineer of one train may determine approximately the speed of the other train. This is done by noting the intervals of time that elapse between the alarms. This provision is particularly advantageous when the telephones are not used or become disarranged or injured.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In an electric railway-signal, the combination of a series of locomotives each carrying an electric generator, alarm, and insulated contact-brushes, with an insulated continuous conductor in the path of the contact-brushes, such conductor being provided at regular intervals along its length with deflections, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM F. GRASSLER.

\Vitnesses:

0. D. DAVIS, CHAS. Du Jos'r. 

